posted 02-06-2000 04:45 PM            

I'm looking for info on Etherstone/Featherstone castle in Northumbria. This Castle was home to the Foster/Forster Family in the 16th century and related to the Foster/Forster family that lived in Bamburgh Castle. My mother was a Foster and in doing family research, I've discovered that their is little info on this castle. Any information would be appreciated.

posted 02-07-2000 02:52 PM           

FEATHERSTONE CASTLE NY 673609

Much of this mansion in parkland by the South Tyne was built in 181 2-20 by Thomas Wallace but there is a 14th century L-plan tower at the SW corner and the west range which it adjoins has a 1 3th century doorway towards the court with one order of colonettes and may incorporate some walling from a hall-house of that period. The tower house has a main block 12.2m long from east to west by 9.1 m wide and has a wing projecting from the eastern half of the south side, a turret at the west end of that side, a turret containing a spiral stair at the west end of the north side, and a square turret set diagonally on the NE corner. The tower is much altered but still has a vaulted basement and original battlements with round bartizans on three courses of corbelling. The 14th century windows in the west range may have come from the tower. The manor was held by the Featherstonehaugh family from at least JohnÕs reign until it was confiscated by Parliament after Sir Timothy was executed at Bolton in 1 651 following his capture at the battle of Worcester. The castle was sold to the Earl of Carlisle but the Featherstonhaugh family repurchased it in 1711, only to dispose of it in 1779 to James Wallace, Attorney General. The tower house and former moat are thought to have been added c. 1330-5 by Thomas Featherstonehaugh but the place does not appear in the 1415 list of strongholds. At the time of the 1541 survey it was held by Alexander Featherstonehaugh and was in good repair.

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posted 02-09-2000 04:58 AM           

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